PilotBob

Quote: Lood I would just like to confirm that I understand you correctly. If you do the ARI cowl closure mod, is it a new prop, bulkhead and spinner part of the kit and compulsory, or can the cowl closure be done with an existing prop assembly? I would seriously consider replacing my Lasar closure with the ARI, but if the latter required me to replace the prop, etc. it would not be finacially viable for me.

Quote: JimR Just to play devil's advocate, what about the Southwest Texas Aviation alternatives? http://www.swta.net/mooneymodpictures/cowlingkitpictures.html

I should have mentioned that the ARI kit also includes a new prop. bulkhead and polished pointed spinner.

I installed the Lazar cowl mod several years ago on my 75 F and found absolutly no bennefit except for looks. I did the 4 direction speed test before and after and there was no gain or loss. Recently, I had Top Gun install the ARI cowl closure and after the 4 direction check I found that I gained 7 kts airspeed and 4 kts GPS ground speed. I was truly impressed. I've always had good cooling and it seems to be the same with both closures. With the Lazar closure I would climb out at 700-800 FPM and with the ARI I'm now climbing out at 1,000-1,200 FPM. The only problem is with the ARI I'm getting some reflective cracking in the inlet areas where the fiber glass is rivited to the aluminum. Top Gun is currently working on this issue and hopefully will be resolved this week. It's a big issue with me right now since I've just had the plane painted at Santa Maria (KSMX). Good Luck, Pilot Bob

Quote: PilotBob Hi everyone, my name is Bob and I just got my mistress painted at Santa Maria. More to come later.

Hi everyone, my name is Bob and I just got my mistress painted at Santa Maria. More to come later.